Bottom Line:
In 2005, 329 cases of hepatitis E virus infection were confirmed in England and Wales; 33 were confirmed indigenous infections, and a further 67 were estimated to be indigenous infections.Hepatitis E should be considered in the investigation of patients with hepatitis even if they have no history of travel.

ABSTRACTIn 2005, 329 cases of hepatitis E virus infection were confirmed in England and Wales; 33 were confirmed indigenous infections, and a further 67 were estimated to be indigenous infections. Hepatitis E should be considered in the investigation of patients with hepatitis even if they have no history of travel.

Mentions:
The travel history of the 329 patients is summarized in Figure 2. For 102 (31%) patients, pre-illness travel information was recorded on the laboratory request form. Travel status was obtained for 44 additional patients through follow-up, and 33 patients who had not traveled outside the United Kingdom were considered to be indigenous case-patients. Twenty-three (70%) indigenous case-patients were >55 years of age, compared with 26 (24%) of 110 travel-associated case-patients; the median age was 65 years (interquartile range [IQR] 50–74 years) and 41 years (IQR 29–54) (p<0.0001) respectively. Thirty-two of the indigenous case-patients (97%) had Caucasian names (name classification was used as a proxy for ethnicity) compared with 21 (19%) of 110 travelers (p<0.001).

Mentions:
The travel history of the 329 patients is summarized in Figure 2. For 102 (31%) patients, pre-illness travel information was recorded on the laboratory request form. Travel status was obtained for 44 additional patients through follow-up, and 33 patients who had not traveled outside the United Kingdom were considered to be indigenous case-patients. Twenty-three (70%) indigenous case-patients were >55 years of age, compared with 26 (24%) of 110 travel-associated case-patients; the median age was 65 years (interquartile range [IQR] 50–74 years) and 41 years (IQR 29–54) (p<0.0001) respectively. Thirty-two of the indigenous case-patients (97%) had Caucasian names (name classification was used as a proxy for ethnicity) compared with 21 (19%) of 110 travelers (p<0.001).

Bottom Line:
In 2005, 329 cases of hepatitis E virus infection were confirmed in England and Wales; 33 were confirmed indigenous infections, and a further 67 were estimated to be indigenous infections.Hepatitis E should be considered in the investigation of patients with hepatitis even if they have no history of travel.

ABSTRACTIn 2005, 329 cases of hepatitis E virus infection were confirmed in England and Wales; 33 were confirmed indigenous infections, and a further 67 were estimated to be indigenous infections. Hepatitis E should be considered in the investigation of patients with hepatitis even if they have no history of travel.